Exposure to environmental allergens tied to chronic laryngitis

Washington, Sept 23 : Daily exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, allergens, and air pollution might be tied to chronic cases of laryngitis, say researchers.

Laryngitis symptoms include hoarseness of the voice, cough, and chronic clearing of the throat.

In the study conducted using animal models, the research found that exposure to different environmental pollutants, including dust mites and everyday air pollution, can cause what they term as "environmental laryngitis."

Given recent reports on diminishing air quality and increased unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution, especially in countries like China, these findings can be significant to laryngitis and chronic laryngitis.

The research was presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL.

ANI